With Opening Day just around the corner, the Brewers’ bullpen took a big hit.
Closer Devin Williams is expected to miss about three months after being diagnosed with two stress fractures in his back. ESPN reported late Wednesday night.
Back specialist Dr. Robert Watkins identified stress fractures on the left and right sides of Williams’ T12 vertebrae.
However, the right-hander is expected to make a full recovery without undergoing surgery.
The Brewers hope to have Williams back by midseason, but the team will need to rest him for six weeks before beginning the ramp-up process, sources told ESPN.
The 29-year-old owns a career 1.89 ERA and has won the National League Relief of the Year award twice during his major league career.
Since Williams has been a fixture with the Brewers, he has become one of the best late-game relievers in baseball, compiling a 3.40 strikeout-to-walk ratio and making 54 saves.
The injuries have put first-year manager Pat Murphy in an interesting predicament, as the Brewers’ bullpen has been critical to this season’s success.
Milwaukee’s starting rotation took a hit when the club traded All-Star starter Corbin Burnes to the Orioles and fellow All-Star Brandon Woodruff is out for the year after undergoing shoulder surgery.
Williams began dealing with back issues last September, but pitched through pain as the Brewers battled for a playoff spot.
He wasn’t worried about his lower back until spring training, but it worsened after his first bullpen session and his second pitching this spring.
Williams underwent further testing because he felt back pain was affecting his pitching.
The Brewers have a number of talented relief pitchers, including right-handers Abner Uribe and Joel Paamps.
With Williams out, it’s unclear who Murphy will turn to as his closer.
